I believe many of you have encountered a variation of this salad before. My family has been enjoying this dish at our gatherings for as long as I can remember. When I was organizing the menu for Andrew’s second birthday party earlier this month, I aimed for dishes that could be prepared in advance to avoid being overwhelmed on the day of the event. This salad was the perfect choice, as it benefits from a day of marinating to enhance the flavors.
Our guests were delighted with it. Even my dad, who is a dedicated fan of the broccoli salad from his favorite supermarket’s salad bar, admitted that this was the best version he’d ever tasted. The salad features a sharp bite from the onions, a tangy sweetness from the dressing, and a delicious saltiness from the bacon. I’m eager to make this again, not just for a party, but for our family meals – Joe, Andrew, and me! (Andrew loves his “coccobi.”)
Ingredients:
- 2 heads fresh broccoli
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (for best results, grate it yourself from a block)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Cut the broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, bacon, onions, and cheddar cheese.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the vinegar, sugar, and mayonnaise. Pour this dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (it’s best made a day in advance for optimal flavor).
- Enjoy!